Translation guide
The Japanese honorific さん (san) is a polite, all-purpose title attached to names, roughly equivalent to Mr./Ms./Mrs. in English, but used far more broadly and neutrally.
田中さん
Mr./Ms. Tanaka
店員さん、すみません！
Excuse me, shop assistant!
To politely address or refer to someone, similar to Mr./Ms./Mrs., but without specifying gender or marital status.
Attach さん to a person's family name or given name. It is the default polite suffix and can be used in most situations, from acquaintances to colleagues. Unlike English titles, it does not indicate marital status or gender.
田中さんはいますか。
Is Mr./Ms. Tanaka here?
I met Mr./Ms. Yamada.
While さん is polite, attaching it to a given name (e.g., 太郎さん) shows a friendly yet respectful tone, common among colleagues or acquaintances. It is less formal than using the family name but still polite.
太郎さん、お元気ですか。
Taro, how are you? (polite)
Among close friends, family, or in casual settings, さん is often dropped. Using a name without any honorific can sound intimate or rough, so it should be avoided in polite contexts.
Dropping さん with someone you are not close to can be rude. When in doubt, use さん.
太郎、遊ぼう！
Taro, let's play!
To politely address someone by their role or profession, such as a shopkeeper, doctor, or teacher.
Add さん after a job title or role to address that person politely. Common examples include 店員さん (shop assistant), 運転手さん (driver), お医者さん (doctor).
店員さん、すみません。
Excuse me, shop assistant.
お医者さんに診てもらいました。
I was examined by the doctor.
To add a friendly or personifying tone when referring to animals, mascots, or even inanimate objects in casual or childlike speech.
Adding さん to an animal's name makes it sound cute or respectful, often used by children or when speaking affectionately. E.g., ゾウさん (Mr. Elephant), ウサギさん (Ms. Rabbit).
ゾウさんがいるよ。
Look, there's an elephant! (affectionate)
Occasionally, さん is attached to inanimate objects in a playful or personifying way, like お月さん (the moon) or お日さん (the sun), though this is dialectal or poetic.
お日さんが照っている。
The sun is shining. (personified, dialectal)
To refer to a company or shop in a polite or familiar way, often used by customers.
Customers or business partners may attach さん to a company name to show respect or familiarity, e.g., トヨタさん (Toyota). This is common in B2B contexts or when referring to a shop you frequent.
トヨタさんから見積もりをもらった。
I received a quote from Toyota.
Do not attach さん to your own name when introducing yourself. It is considered arrogant or childish. Say just your name, or use と申します (very formal).
田中です。
I'm Tanaka.
さん is the default polite suffix. 様 (さま) is more formal and respectful, used for customers or in letters. 君 (くん) is often used for boys or junior colleagues. ちゃん is affectionate, for children or close friends. Use さん when unsure.